Republished June 03, 2016 - 1:09 PM
Original Publication Date June 03, 2016 - 10:50 AM
MONTREAL - Federal Heritage Minister Melanie Joly is inviting all Canadians, including Quebecers, to celebrate Canada Day this year.
"Montrealers, Quebecois (and) Canadians are seeing themselves in our government, are seeing themselves in the progressive values we base our actions on," Joly said Friday.
"And I think that that's why there's so many reasons to celebrate on July 1."
Many Quebecers give short shrift to Canada Day, with July 1 being just as well-known in the province for being the traditional moving day for thousands of people.
Fete nationale on June 24 is a much bigger celebration, particularly among nationalists.
Joly will be in Ottawa and nearby Gatineau on July 1 but said she would ensure a party is planned in her Montreal riding.
"I'll make sure that my team organizes something in Ahunstic-Cartierville," said Joly, who was in Montreal attending an unrelated event.
On Wednesday, Joly unveiled the details of this year's Canada Day celebration, which will take place on Parliament Hill and Major's Hill Park in Ottawa and the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau. Canada Day celebrations in the Capital Region are organized by the federal Heritage Department.
Some of the artists playing this year include Metric, Coeur de pirate, Alex Cuba and New Brunswick's Les Hay Babies.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016